Letter from IESBA Chair - Draft CEAOB Guidelines on Limited Assurance Engagements

On July 22, 2024, The IESBA submitted a comment letter to the Committee of European Auditing Oversight Bodies (CEAOB) regarding the CEAOB’s draft non-binding guidelines on limited assurance on sustainability reporting under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) in the European Union (EU).

Starting from financial years beginning on or after January 1, 2024, large companies in the EU are required to draw up sustainability statements in accordance with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). These statements are required to be subject to an assurance engagement by statutory auditors or other assurance services providers.

To prevent fragmentation and promote  consistency in practices until the European Commission’s (EC) adoption of an assurance standard at EU level by October 1, 2026, the EC has invited the CEAOB to develop non-binding guidelines regarding limited assurance on sustainability reporting.